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Leaf
disposal isn’t a perennial problem just for Lincoln, Fuhrer said, but also for
other Illinois cities he contacted in an effort to see how those communities
dealt with the issue. "They said, ‘Oh, you’re having that problem, too,’"
he reported.
The
present city ordinance, while not entirely banning the burning of leaves and
yard waste, allows it only in locations 50 feet or more from any structure, such
as a house, garage or business. This effectively prevents most people from
burning, according to a spokesman from the Lincoln Fire Department.
Donnie
Osborne, street superintendent, who noted that "We go through this every
year," suggested the city impose a complete burn ban and then study the
results. He said the best solution for disposal of fallen leaves is for people
to bring them to the city landfill. There is no charge for dumping them in the
landfill.
Osborne
said that just picking up the leaves that naturally fall on city streets becomes
a very labor-intensive project. "In November we have just about our entire
crew, seven or eight men, committed to picking up leaves," he told the
council. He also noted that it takes many man-hours at the landfill to spread
out the leaves people drop off. However, he did recommend that this year the
landfill stay open seven days a week to accommodate people who have only
weekends to dispose of leaves.
Grant
Eaton, sewer plant manager, pointed out that to keep the sewer system
functioning properly and to meet Environmental Protection Agency requirements
for keeping leaves out of waterways the city must remove the leaves that fall in
the street.
Fire
Chief Ken Ebelherr said he would support the total burn ban as a safety issue.
"It’s against everything the fire department stands for, telling people
to take a match and go out and start a fire," he said.
Alderman
Gerald Dehner said he would also support the ban as a health and safety issue,
and Alderman Joseph Stone said he would like to try it. However, Aldermen Benny
Huskins, William Melton, George Mitchell and Patrick Madigan indicated they were
not in favor of the complete ban on burning.
"I
think we had a more than moderate degree of success with our ordinance last
year," Mitchell said. "I like what we’ve got in place," Madigan
agreed.
Alderman
Stephen Mesner said he understood the ordinance presently in effect allows
people to rake their leaves to the edge of the street and the city would pick
them up.
[to top of second
column in this article]
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Osborne
disagreed, saying that unless directed otherwise by the council, the city will
not pick up leaves on easements or boulevards.
"There are people in this town who don’t even have a car," Mesner
replied. "I just want to know what people can do with them [the
leaves]."
Fuhrer
noted that several lawn services in the area have machines that will pick up
leaves.
Two
residents spoke to thank the council for the action it has already taken to
reduce leaf burning and cut down on the smoke that can adversely affect people
with respiratory ailments. Joan Graue, noting that a growing number of people
today have asthma and allergies, said, "Now I am able to walk and
breathe."
She
also pointed out that neighbors can help each other in taking yard waste to the
dump or can hire it done. "Is there no one willing to make a buck or two
taking leaves to the dump?" she asked.
Diane Adye, also an asthmatic, said, "Smoke is one of our worst enemies.
Thank you for what you have done. It is wonderful to breathe fresh air."
Mayor
Joan Ritter noted that in drafting the resolution to ban leaf burning, the
committee should mention that wiener roasts are allowed, as long as the fire
department is notified. She said the committee should spell out exactly what
fuel can be used for a wiener roast so that people do not use that as an
opportunity to burn leaves.
In
other business, the council heard requests from three residents of the
Stonebridge subdivision, asking for the city to provide street lighting at the
two entrances. Ordinarily the city requires developers to provide street
lighting, but a variance was granted to the Stonebridge developer.
Garland
Brinner said he was afraid that during the winter months drivers turning into
the subdivision off Fifth Street would be unable to see the road and end up in
the ditch.
Tony
Campbell, another resident, said that while he is opposed to streetlights within
the subdivision, he is "very much a proponent of providing lighting at the
entrances."
Another
resident Syed Karim, said Stonebridge "is treated like a stepchild. No one
takes care of us." He said the area seldom sees city snowplows or street
cleaners and is subject to flooding, and that it would be only fair for the city
to furnish lights at the entrances.
Noting that
there are already poles at the entrances, Fuhrer asked Mark Mathon, the city
engineer, to get definite prices for putting up the lights.
[Joan
Crabb]
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